Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Number of applicants for Russias citizenship among Latgales residents four times exceeds number of applicants for Latvian citizenship
• Deputy of Russias State Duma: ethnic Russians who live abroad should be issued governments certificates of Russian compatriots
• Latvian Human Rights Committee celebrated its 17th anniversary

According to

According to Telegraf, number of applicants for Russias citizenship among Latgales (Eastern region of Latvia) residents four times exceeds number of applicants for Latvian citizenship. Consul General of Russia in Daugavpils states that number of applicants for Russias citizenship grown 4,5 times during this year and now there about 200 persons applying for citizenship each month. Mostly those are Latvian non-citizens in pre-retirement or retirement age. Representatives of the Daugavpils City Council believe that such interest towards Russias citizenship particularly in this city is based on hard economic situation in the region and opportunities to receive better pensions.

Deputy of Russia’s State Duma Konstantin Zatulin in an interview with

Deputy of Russias State Duma Konstantin Zatulin in an interview with Vesti Segodnya states that ethnic Russians who live abroad should be issued governments certificates of Russian compatriots in order to receive various advantages from Russia. Mr. Zatulin considers that possible advantages could include temporary residence in Russia without quotas applied to foreigners, free-of-charge visas to Russia, free-of-charge entrance to Russias museums and archives and opportunities to study and work in Russia.

Yesterday, NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) celebrated its 17

Yesterday, NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) celebrated its 17th anniversary. The LHRC also presented a book in Russian language Problems of Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia and Estonia; English version of the book is presented today in the European Parliament. Chas, Vesti Segodnya